Abstract
Nova Innovation has produced this Environmental and Protected Species Risk Assessment in
support of an application to Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team (MS-LOT) for a Marine
Licence to decommission the three geared M100 turbines in the “Shetland Tidal Array” in the
Bluemull Sound, Shetland.
A description of the activities associated with the decommissioning of the three M100 turbines is
provided, and an assessment of the potential environmental effects. An assessment of the
potential effects of the project nature conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority
marine Features (PMF) is provided.
This document also provides an assessment of the potential effects on “Natura” sites, including
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). The information in this
document is therefore provided to inform MS-LOT’s Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) of the
decommissioning activity under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (EU Exit) (Scotland)
(Amendment) Regulations 2019, including determining whether an “Appropriate Assessment” is
required.
This document also supports an application to MS-LOT for a licence to disturb marine species that
are subject to strict protection (“European Protected Species” – EPS), as described in Annex IV to
Council Directive 92/43/EEC at Bluemull Sound, Cullivoe, Yell, Shetland.
Decommissioning will involve complete removal of each of the three M100 turbines (T1, T2 and
T3) in turn. The turbine nacelle, substructure and cable will be removed from the seabed and taken
to shore for recycling or disposal. The three M100-D direct drive turbines (T4, T5 and T6) and
associated infrastructure (subsea hub and cables) in the Shetland Tidal Array will not be
decommissioned and will remain in situ on the seabed.
Full details of the equipment to be decommissioned, and the vessels and equipment that will be
used in decommissioning operations are provided in a Decommissioning Schedule and Method
Statement, with a summary provided in this document.